The Ultimate Romantic Comedy
alt. All You Need is Love...Actually
Directed by: Richard Curtis
Written by: Richard Curtis
Starring: Bill Nighy as Billy Mack, Gregor Fisher as Joe, Colin Firth as Jamie Bennett, Lucia Moniz as Aurelia, Kiera Knightley as Juliet, Chiwetal Ejiofor as Peter, Andrew Lincoln as Mark, Alan Rickman as Harry, Heike Makatsch as Mia, Rowan Atkinson as Rufus, Emma Thompson as Karen, Hugh Grant as Prime Minister David, Liam Neeson as Daniel, Martine MacCutcheon as Natalie, Thomas Sangster as Sam, Laura Linney as Sarah, Rodrigo Santoro as Karl, Kris Marshall as Colin Frissell, Abdul Salis as Tony, Martin Freeman as Jack, and Joanna Page as Judy
Original Music by: Craig Armstrong
I'm rather notorious for my views on chick flicks. I usually do not like them. (Those of you who dragged me to watch "Sweet Home Alabama" probably remember well my views of the genre.) 90% of the time they are trite, disgustingly pale imitations of love, and have little or no redeeming qualities to them.
Of course, there are exceptions.
I first heard about "Love Actually" about a half year ago. I heard that the writer of "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Notting Hill," and "Bridget Jone's Diary" was writing and directing a new British romantic comedy. I was mildly interested - I'd liked both "Notting Hill" and "Bridget Jone's Diary", and had heard that "Four Weddings and a Funeral" was good too. Plus, it was British. Being made in Britain goes a LONG way towards me having a positive anticipation for a film. Then, I heard the cast that was in it, and my jaw dropped. A film with Bill Nighy, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Laura Linney, Alan Rickman, Billy Bob Thornton, and Rowan Atkinson is a film that I have to see.
It's tagline of "The Ultimate Romantic Comedy" was both daring me to hate and enticing me to see just what kind of movie would have the audacity to claim that title. I was cautiously optimistic - and ended up loving the film.
Truth be told, it's probably one of the best films I've seen all year. For those that haven't heard, it mixes about nine different stories about love into one movie. Yes, they're all connected, but it's never a forced connection. Rather, it enforces the idea that love actually is all around us. It shows us all sides of love too - not just the romantic happy ones. Sometimes love hurts, sometimes love doesn't work out, sometimes love isn't returned, sometimes love is misunderstood - it's all portrayed here. If there was to be a message of the movie, it'd be that love is THERE - and it comes in all shapes and sizes. Some of the stories are sweet and endearing, some are romantic, and some will tear your heart out. A few of them seem to be going in a totally predictable direction, only to shift to become a story that suddenly has suddenly has resounding significance. Some of the stories ARE typical romantic comedy type - but they're wonderful all the same. When you have a cast and director/writer that are this good, wonderful things are sure to happen.
Everyone does a great job in the film, but if there were to be rewards handed out they'd probably go to Hugh Grant (in a really fun role as the Prime Minister of Britain - watch for his little "dance" scene), Laura Linney (who probably shows the most accurate portrayel of love in the whole film, and who's final scene will break your heart), Keira Knightley (for the scene where she watches her wedding video), and Liam Neeson (his scenes with his son are dead perfect). Of course, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, and all the others are perfect in their roles as well.
When you take that many stories, and blend them into one movie, you're running a huge risk. But rather than seeming bloated or choppy, "Love Actually" succeeds perfectly. It's great to see a "romantic comedy" that doesn't just fill itself with saccarine sweet fluff, and actually handles some of the hard stuff. That's not to say that it isn't a happy movie - because it is. It just doesn't always take the easy way out.
The problem is, a good 90% of you will not want to see this movie, because of it's rating. "Love Actually" is rated R - for nudity, sexual content, and language. It's like the mark of the beast for Christians. The nudity comes from one of the stories - two young people that are starring in a film of the "adult" variety. It's a great story, and a great message (they both fully differentiate between sex, and actual love), but the way which it's told will turn many Christians away. (Personally, I found that it works just fine if you close your eyes during this part - you can still hear them talk, and when the voices change you know it's the next story and you can open your eyes again.)
The fact that I'm admitting that I enjoyed a film that calls itself "the ultimate romantic comedy" should clue you in to just how good it is. We don't get many films that show "true" love. This one does. Go check it out. (4.5/5)
And just in case you wondered, my wife gives it a five little love stories out of five (5/5).
